I just wanted to extend a BIG thank you to all of those that have returned such positive feedback to me either in person, email, phone or website comments on my recent story, “If You Were Mine,” that ran on the front page of Monday, Feb. 22 edition of the News-Telegram and online on our site as well.

I really wasn’t sure how readers would receive my real-life story. It was written from a very personal viewpoint on a personal subject matter. My adoption and my reunion with my biological parents is something I have shared over the years with great emotion but until now have never put into written word.

I guess between having the drive to prove to myself and others that I could do it and the opportunity that lay at my feet, I took it as a sign. The timing was right. I got my answer. And to my surprise, the readers of HopkinsCounty and beyond proved to me that it really must have been. Hopefully, sharing it will inspire others.

Thanks again to all of those that shed tears with me re-living my journey that I took over the 12 years. I hope that I can bring more of that into my writing; although, I might have trouble topping that one.

It is time for more feel-good stories in the news. As I've been known to say, "I like writing happy headlines."

And with that I would like to pass on this inspirational poem…

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women

who never knew each other.

One you do not remember,

the other you call Mother.

Two different lives shaped to make you one.

One became your guiding Star,

the other became your Sun.

The first one gave you Life,

the second taught you to Live it.

The first gave you a need for Love, the other was there to give it.

One gave you a Nationality, the other gave you a Name.

One gave you a Talent, the other gave you Aim.

One gave you Emotions, the other calmed your Fears.

One saw your first Sweet Smile, the other dried your tears.

One sought for you a Home that she could not provide, the other prayed for a Child and her hope was not denied.